Endothelial cell loss after Ahmed valve implantation increases progressively over time

Researchers prospectively evaluated changes in the corneal endothelium of 41 patients (41 eyes) implanted with the Ahmed glaucoma valve. The average percentage decrease in all fields of the corneal endothelium were 5.8 percent, 11.5 percent, 15.3 percent, 16.6 percent, and 18.6 percent at one, six, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery, with the greatest loss occurring in the supratemporal area (22.6 percent). These changes were significant compared with baseline densities and with controls (P < .05). The authors conclude that alternative treatments should be considered for patients with significantly low cell density before surgery.

Financial Disclosures
Dr. Vold receives grant support from Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Allergan., Inc., and Ista Pharmaceuticals, as well as lecture fees from Allergan and consulting fees from Ista.